Founders

Ethan Shirley is interested in integrating science, technology, and
sustainable community development in third-world countries. Ethan is fluent in Portuguese, and has been going to this area in Brazil for eight years.

He graduated from the University of Michigan with an Anthropology and Zoology major, and a minor in Paleontology.

Julie Batemanis interested in the exchange of ideas, opportunities, and services between rural and urban areas. And especially how this exchange can ameliorate a region's environment and its population's well-being. Julie studied Civil Engineering and Natural Resource Studies at the University of Michigan; she is conversational in Portuguese.

Home

The Pantanal Center for Education and Research (PCER) is a rural community center and scientific research station based in the Northern Pantanal in Mato Grosso, Brazil (see map). PCER was created with the help of private donations, grants, scholarships and fellowships. PCER is partnered with Pantanal Partnership, a University of Michigan multidisciplinary Sponsored Student Organization, and the locally-owned Jaguar Ecological Reserve.

Social ProgramsPCER aims to offer the following programs for members of the local community:- public primary school - evening basic adult education courses (improving literacy) - courses to train new naturalist guides for employment in the area - courses in English - courses in emergency medicine, CPR and First Aid

- courses in water filtration and public health

- courses in the construction and use of sustainable technologies- a small medical examination room with periodic doctor visits

- a research laboratory and space for researchers - study and volunteer opportunities for foreigners and Brazilians - a testing ground for new sustainable technologies that can be applied widely in the area

Project Progress

In Summer 2012, we built a new sustainable water tower for PCER, and embarked on a new outreach project spreading sustainable bio-sand water filter technology to other rural communities in the area.

Donate!

We accept tax-deductible donations through our University of Michigan sponsored student organization. We appreciate all support, and 100% of donations go towards our efforts in the Pantanal.

To donate, please make checks payable to:

University of MichiganMemo line: Pantanal Partnership

And mail to:Office Advancement

2000 Lurie Engineering Center

1221 Beal Avenue

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Contact us at ethan@pantanalcer.org or julie@pantanalcer.org for more information.

Recent Blog Posts

Pantanal News - Spring 2014Spring is in the air, and over fifty people are preparing to work on various projects in the Pantanal over the summer. Our annual fundraiser, Pantanal in the Arb, is ...
Posted Apr 1, 2014, 6:20 AM by Ethan Shirley

Pantanal News - Winter 2013-2014HAPPY HOLIDAYS from all of us in Brazil and in the United States! Come see an exhibit about the Pantanal and our work at the Duderstadt Center Gallery in January ...
Posted Apr 1, 2014, 5:45 AM by Ethan Shirley

Fall NewsletterPantanal News - Fall 2013BOM DIA! This summer was a success as we executed a variety of projects in a variety of locations. We worked with partners old and new ...
Posted Oct 15, 2013, 5:23 AM by Ethan Shirley

Primeiro Concerto do Nazare!After four weeks of music classes, the students of Nazare had their first concert today! The PME team will be blogging soon in greater detail. For now, here's some ...
Posted Jul 29, 2013, 8:56 PM by Julie Bateman

Beginning of music lessons at NazaréWe've begun the Pantanal Music Exchange teaching program in the past few weeks here, working with kids at the Nazaré Orphanage to learn to play the violin, viola, and ...
Posted Jul 5, 2013, 11:20 AM by Ethan Shirley